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The Best Travel Movies

For anyone who has an insatiable case of wanderlust, and in need of a travel fix, but isn’t fortunate enough to be on the road, the following movies are for you. From foreign romance to surviving the wild, to backpacking Thailand, these are the best travel inspiring movies out there.

9) Outsourced

Released in 2006, at the height of controversial outsourcing to India, this is the story of a typical American salesman who is sent to India to train a call center. While there, he falls in love with one of his employees and in turn discovers the uniqueness that is Indian culture. It is a quirky romantic comedy travel movie enhanced by clever commentary on the comic irony of outsourcing. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LImhTTFu4b8

8) Before Sunrise

Another travel romance film, Before Sunrise is the story of an American guy (Ethan Hawke) and a French girl (Julie Delpy) who meet by fate on a train in Europe. Having instant chemistry, they both decide to depart the train in Vienna. As they explore the city, their relationship grows and by early morning they are drunk with love. This is definitely one for you hopeless romantics out there. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtvrzpebA6k

7) Lost In Translation

This film stars Bill Murray as basically himself, who is having a minor mid-midlife crisis. He is in Tokyo doing a commercial when he meets a younger girl (Scarlett Johansen) in the hotel longue. Equally as lost emotionally, they make perfect companions. Together they explore Tokyo’s nightlife. If you have been to Japan, Lost In Translation will make you nostalgic for Japenglish. If you haven’t, you are definitely going to want to go. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAS92XPvIM

6) Seven Years In Tibet

This film takes place during WW2. It follows the plight of a famous German mountain climber played by Brad Pitt. Forced to flee from British Nepal after attempting to summit Mt. Everest, he eventually finds himself in Tibet and becomes a tutor for the Dali Lama. It is a story of survival, adventure, and cultural clashes, and will leave you longing to visit Tibet. Trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ22unS_zdk

5) The Darjeeling Limited

This movie is in part the reason why I wanted to go to India. It is the story of three brothers, (Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody, & Jason Swartzman) who travel to India to reunite with their mother. Initially a “spiritual journey” they soon succumb to old sibling rivalries and over the counter pain medications. A must see for any travelers of India. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO1bYukdvLI

4) The Motorcycle Diaries

Based on a true story, The Motorcycle Diaries is a fantastic adventure that traces the youthful origins of the revolutionary Che Guevara and his friend, Alberto Granado. After watching, you will no doubt want to buy a motorcycle and ride the world. Trialer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7u0U3dbVMHk

3) Indiana Jones: Raiders Of The Lost Ark

This film as well as the entire series is what inspired me to travel as a kid. If you haven’t seen Indiana Jones and are into travel action films, you won’t be disappointed. Trailer:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GU_s95oq5lU

2) The Beach

“The Beach” is the story of a young American backpacker,(Leonardo Dicaprio) who goes to Thailand in search of an adventure off the beaten path. This is the movie that inspired me to go to Thailand. I highly recommend it. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObKpwmZkl24

1). Into The Wild

Into The Wild is one of the greatest beatnik/wilderness adventure movies I have ever seen. Based on a true story, it follows the path of Alexander “Supertramp.” Disillusioned by society and capitalism, he renounces the material world and seeks enlightenment through an escape to the Wilderness. He is a traveler after my own heart. Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LAuzT_x8Ek

If you have any good travel movie recommendations, feel free to post them below.

Let Me Know What You Think!

Wow Im so glad I found your site. First time visitor here.
The Beach and Into the Wild are by far my favorite movies. Ive always craved to do just as you have. I think next year will mark the beginning of making it a reality.
You should have Americano on there to. Great travel movie another one of my favorites.

180 degrees south is incredible! Return to paradise is brilliant as well! Just came across your site, I’m in the saving stage before I jet off long term! You’re giving me the needed motivation to stay on track and remember what I’m going through now will help me serve my bigger purpose! THANKS :D Happy and safe travels

I recently watched the movie “The Way” about el camino, the way of Saint James. That was a great one, it inspired me to walk the way once I finish my schooling in May. Thanks for the list and the great blog!

This is definately an inspired list, I have watched most on the list now, a couple of movies I would add would be; Under The Tuscan Sun, Eat Pray Love and The Best Exotic Marygold Hotel. Good to see some movies that actually show off the location they are set rather than just showing a cityscape and telling you your there.

Travel films have the greatest ability to leave me with a wonderful feeling of nostalgia. I love it, and the funny thing is I travel regularly difference is, it is for work for Dish. When I watched “The Beach”, I was inspired to go somewhere exotic and have an adventure of my own. I felt a wee bit jealous at the idea of taking of to Thailand on a whim and finding an exotic dangerous beach of paradise. When I travel, I find my escapes through dishonline where as a subscriber I love to look through tons of movies to keep me occupied during long delays and lonely hotel nights. This fills some of the hole of needing escape but one day I fill have my adventure somewhere out there.

Eurotrip is a class travel film. I watched into the wild again the other day and I love that, someone has recommended a soppy one for me which is Shanghai kiss so I’m going to check that out. I don’t need a movie to inspire me though, memories are enough to spur me to get some cash saved to get back out. Working in Switzerland wiped me out and I have financial commitments back home making travel cheap that little bit harder.

I thought Eurotrip was alright. Too stereotypical but fun. Yea, Into The Wild is awesome. Where you working in Switzerland? I put my student loans on forbearance, you should do so as well if you got them.

Oh my. So many good travel movies. How about:
-Everything is Illuminated – Elijah Wood stars as a guy exploring his Jewish roots with some totally whacked out Ukrainians and a mad dog named Sammy Davis Junior Junior.
-One Week – a motorcycle trip across Canada by a young guy diagnosed with one week to live
-Schultze Gets the Blues – an aging, unemployed German accordian player who can’t speak English discovers zydeco music and sets out to explore America’s rural south
-Priscilla Queen of the Desert – a swashbuckling romp through Australia’s outback and the world of transvestites
-Atanarjuat, The Fast Runner – Canada’s High Artctic becomes a central character in this movie of culture, love and loss

I love Everything Is Illuminate, how did I forget. I saw Shultze and thought it was funny but a little too slow pace for me. I saw one week too and should have listed it as well. I just watched Pricilla after reading your comment and had some good laughs, especially over the Abba turd. I’m gonna check out Atanarjuat soon! Thanks for the recommendations.

Some great films. I haven’t seen Outsourced, so will check it out. I have to admit I really didn’t like Before Sunrise. I found it very dull. How about The Endless Summer, A Room With a View, Thelma and Louise (I do love a road movie) or Lawrence of Arabia (my all time fav!)

I’m ashamed to say I’ve only seen Lost in Translation and the Indy film on here. Lost in Translation really does take on a whole new meaning once you’ve lived and worked in an Asian country for any period of time.

Watching it after my two years in South Korea was like watching an entirely new movie.

I really need to see Into the Wild. Everybody raves to me about it and how I’d be inspired by it. I think it might even be my Friday night fix.

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When I was 16 I ran away from home and traveled the world with nothing but the clothes on my back. Today I'm still "on the run," surviving in style, thriving off adventure & searching for that elusive road to enlightenment.

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